BAVARIAN PRIME MINISTER OPENS "BAVARIAN WEEK"

ZAGREB, Sept 18 (Hina) - The prime minister of the German province of Bavaria, Edmund Stoiber, opened an exhibition of Bavarian business potentials called "Bravarian Week." "For Bavaria, Croatia is a country of countless opportunities and perspectives," Stoiber said at the opening. Stoiber commented favourably on the establishment of diplomatic ties between Croatia and Yugoslavia which he saw as a very important step toward stabilisation and peace in the region. He said Germany would support the European Union's expansion to the east. "There are great opportunities for trade cooperation with Croatia," Stoiber said. Bavaria had already signed several agreements with Croatia, such as the agreement on the construction of a highway between Zagreb and the Slovene border, signed today. Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa said Croatia and Bavaria were bound by a friendship forged in the darkest hour of Croatian history. "Today we no longer speak of aid but of cooperation. We are entering a period of very fruitful cooperation in various fields," Matesa said. (hina) jn as 182015 MET sep 96